This morning I looked up “Dichos de Lupita” on YouTube because I was in the mood to hear the song, but instead of an official video from Los Tucanes de Tijuana, I came across this video. I don’t know why, but it really made my day.

Maybe it made me happy because I can tell he loves what he’s doing and he’s made time to do it. I don’t know the real story behind why this guy makes accordion videos in what seems to possibly be a closet or very small room inside a brick building (perhaps a school?) while wearing a uniform with his apellido on it, but I imagine he does these videos on his lunch break at work for his own enjoyment. I also imagine people walking by in the hallway must hear him in there sometimes and smile to themselves – at least I would.

Whatever the story is, I like his voice and his accordion playing, and I love that he’s doing something that makes him happy – That’s what life is all about.

On a side note, if any native Spanish-speaker from Mexico could find it in their heart to translate the lyrics to English, I’d be most grateful. When I sing along I don’t understand half the song and I’m not sure if it’s because the words are so very Mexican or if they’re completely invented. “Yuju yuju yuju, chupale pichón, lero lero lero, si chuy como ño” isn’t exactly in the Diccionario Real Academia. All I got out of that whole stanza is “suck a pigeon” which I’m assuming is a colorful idiom not appropriate for polite company?

Today I want to introduce you to my new favorite cause in El Salvador. Glasswing International is an independent organization, and they have many worthwhile initiatives that I’m planning to support with my money – and hopefully one day when we return to El Salvador, with my time. Of the initiatives they have, Club Glee is one of my favorites. In Club Glee, the youth learn how to sing and dance – but it’s much more than that. The young people who participate in the program learn cooperation, feel accepted, make friends, and gain confidence. In the end, programs such as this not only help the children but also help the future of the country because it’s creating better citizens.

Here is a video that really touched my heart. Check it out.

If you want to support programs like Club Glee, learn about their other programs (including programs in Guatemala and Honduras), or follow them in social media – give them a visit at Glasswing.org [English] or in Spanish HERE.

I was outside working in the yard when I heard the ice cream truck in the street. I stopped and listened. The song sounded familiar but it wasn’t “Pop Goes the Weasel” – (a common song used by ice cream trucks in the United States.)

I started to sing to myself… “Llorando se fue la que un día me hizo llorar…” – What in the world?! But these were the lyrics to the song “Taboo” by Don Omar!… When I realized the truck was playing The Lambada, (which Don Omar sampled in his song), I grabbed my cellphone and took video as the ice cream truck was leaving the neighborhood. Check it out!

If the sound of buzzing vuvuzelas drove you to distraction, (or up the wall), during South Africa’s World Cup, then the sound of Brazil’s caxirola may be a welcome change.

The hand-held instrument made of recycled plastic which sounds a bit like a rainstick, is based on the caxixi, a woven instrument filled with dried beans that can be found in various regions including Brazil. The caxirola can be played in a number of ways as demonstrated by its Brazilian inventor, musician, Carlinhos Brown. Chécalo!

Unfortunately this story doesn’t end with a “happily ever after” just yet. The caxirola is not being embraced as perhaps Brazil and FIFA had hoped. Just last week, hundreds of the caxirolas which were given out at a game, were chucked onto the pitch. (Now that I think about it, they are a great size, shape and weight to be tossed a considerable distance… they even kind of resemble grenades.)

Still others complain that the sound of the caxirola simply isn’t characteristic of a traditional Brazilian football game – that it’s being forced on them when they much rather prefer the usual chants.

What do you think? Is this better than the vuvuzelas or should we just enjoy the game sans musical instruments?

“Justin Bieber can sing in Spanish?” was my confused reaction upon hearing Matt Hunter for the first time this morning. Apparently I’m not the only one who has made this comparison, as I found in this People en Español interview with the Latino American singer (who turns out to be of Colombian and Italian descent):

So, out of respect for Matt’s wishes, I will refrain from calling him the Latino Justin Bieber even though I’m completely behind on new music right now, (as Matt has been making news since at least last year), and I seriously did think it was Justin Bieber singing in Spanish. I just want to say I love this video and this song is probably going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the week.

What could be more chévere than some random guys who start freestyle rapping with a violinist in a parking lot? I’ll tell you what’s more awesome – when a Latino drops it en español and blows them all away.